No fairy tale ending at the SCG

On the eve of round 6, one astute observer made the point that Melbourne Storm, in the Sydney based NRL and the Sydney Swans, playing in Melbourne-centric AFL were both undefeated. Contrary indeed. The potential for a good match between Sydney and Adelaide loomed. After a great win against Hawthorn, the Swans were set to celebrate Adam Goodes 305th game in front of an adoring home crowd. On the other hand the Crows, who have produced scratchy wins so far, always play well at the SCG. This has proved to be a bonus for we two Crows fans now relocated to Canberra.
During the pre-match entertainment, Christine Anu belted out a vigorous version of Aretha Franklins’ Chain Of Fools. Great song, but the title is hardly appropriate in light of the stirring, gladiatorial struggle that followed.

The game was indeed a wonderful contest. The Crows jumped the Swans early with a greater numbers of players around the ball. The aptly named Patrick Dangerfield created havoc while Taylor Walker took strong marks and then converted accurately. The Crows led well into the second quarter until Sydney hit back. Kieran Jack (I think) nullified Dangerfield for the moment and with the mercurial talents of Goodes and Lewis Jetta on full display, Sydney kicked four unanswered goals. After the second of these, the Thespian Choir Conductor seated front of us in the O’Reilly Stand rose to his feet, spread his arms wide and coaxed the crowd in the immediate vicinity into the first chant of Syyyyyyyyyyyyydney. He then cupped his hands to his ears and beamed contentedly as the one-word, two-note choral refrain echoed repeatedly around the ground. Sydney were back.

Thoughts of another Crows third quarter fade-out disappeared as the lead changed continually after the break. Even though the tackling was hard and tough, players found space to display their skills. Sloane ranged widely, Petrenko continued to grow in stature while Ryan O’Keefe was ever handy. And Goodes had kicked five by three quarter time. A few seats along the row from us, Swan supporter, Mr Grumpy, was not happy – the bloody umpires could not bounce the ball straight, they missed obvious frees which should have gone to Sydney and found impossible ones to give to the Crows. Adelaide kicked clear early in the last quarter before Sydney began to claw their way back. However, the fairy tale ending of an Adam Goodes mark (with a strong leap over the pack or by out-muscling his opponent) followed by a goal was not to be as the great man hobbled off with a leg injury. A number of heart stopping moments followed. A marvellous solo effort from Jetta resulted in a goal while Graham Johncock almost sealed things for the Crows.

Eventually, Adelaide prevailed to win by five points. It was a wonderful night with all the skills of the great game on full display. But I’ll bet Mr Grumpy is still not happy. In the NRL, Melbourne Storm remain undefeated at that point.

Peter Crossing loves the pure 'n natch'l blues. A conflicted Crows supporter and former resident of Canberra, he has enjoyed the fact that GWS brought an exciting style of Australian football to the National capital. He is a member of the silver fox faction of the Adelaide Uni Greys.

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